Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services says he paid no hush money to workers as part of their settlement agreements with the state. Mike Carroll has told lawmakers he made a mistake in approving confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements but he says no one was paid to keep silent. Three former department employees say the state offered them cash if they didn’t talk about the agreements.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission have visited the proposed site of the Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids. Developers are making a final push for the $164 million project that they say would breathe new life into an area ravaged by a flood in 2008.

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have determined that a man killed himself Tuesday after exchanging gunfire with a Maquoketa police officer. The Department of Public Safety says an autopsy shows Aaron Scott died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It also showed he’d been wounded in the leg during the shootout with Sergeant Brendan Zeimet. Zeimet was treated for a wound in the left arm.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for northwest Iowa. Up to three inches of snow are expected by Friday morning, followed by winds of nearly 50 miles per hour. Forecasters say the weekend weather will be more spring-like.

Officials of the City of Adair have announced that the Boil Advisory has been lifted for the City of Adair, as of 12 noon today, April 3rd.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The former chief administrative law judge for unemployment appeals is alleging that Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert repeatedly tried to interfere with judges’ work to favor employers over workers.  Joseph Walsh filed a lawsuit Thursday in Polk County alleging that Wahlert stripped him of his job protections and ultimately laid off him and his wife after he opposed her efforts to exert authority over administrative law judges to pursue an “anti-employee agenda.”

Walsh had been the deputy IWD director under Democratic Gov. Chet Culver. Then he was named to oversee a dozen judges that handle unemployment benefits decisions. The lawsuit claims Wahlert’s decision to lay off Walsh was retaliation for Walsh’s complaint to the U.S. Department of Labor about Wahlert’s actions.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green reports an Atlantic man was arrested today (Thursday), on multiple drug charges. 33-year old Steven Pedersen, of Atlantic, was charged with: Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana; Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug or Device; Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense – Psilocybin mushrooms, and, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp.

Pedersen has since posted a $10,000 bond and was released pending an upcoming court appearance.